Alan, thanks for your reply. I have found out there is a complete regimental history of the 37th. The Troup County Archives has it. I am going down there early next week to read it and make some notes. But here is what they told me over the phone. The 37th was in charge of guarding the trains from West Point to East Point. They rode the cars back and forth protecting the rail service to Atlanta bringing much needed supplies from Montgomery. There is also a report that at one time they rode the cars from East Point all the way to Montgomery. I have not seen this report yet, but will post what I find.
You posted:
"A former Confederate captain, John T Boykin lived near Poole's Mill in Troup County. The account you mentioned doesn't say he was in command. A squad of cavalry from the 8th Confederate Cavalry under Lieut Vaughn was in the area in late July-early August. One of his dispatches was captured by the Federals. Perhaps this small group of men stopped by Capt Boykin's home during the raid."
Here is the part of that diary that tells about Capt. Boykin. His spelling is wrong, and his name of Rockville is incorrect as well. From research earlier, I found there is a Rockville, but it is in the NW part of Alabama.But here it is:
"SUNDAY 31 JULY 1864: I was captured 4 mi. north of Rockville, Alabama about sundown, by 7 armed men. Was marched back to Thornton's (?) and held over night.
MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1864: Walked to (?) had our lunch at Liberty Mill eat dinner with Capt J T Baggin of the 87th Confederates. "
He is also wrong about Liberty Mill, it is Liberty Hill.
Capt. Boykin was not in charge, he had resigned from the regular army as a captain, and was in the 37 Militia as a private when this occurred. But out of respect of his former officer status he was still referred to as Captain. We are not sure yet if this was indeed the 37th it could have possibly been as you posted, "A squad of cavalry from the 8th Confederate Cavalry under Lieut Vaughn was in the area in late July-early August. One of his dispatches was captured by the Federals. Perhaps this small group of men stopped by Capt Boykin's home during the raid." and this is who Lott referred to as the 87th Confederates. Or it could have been men in the Pool's Mill home guard, the county was divided into districts, I do not know if they were home guard or county militia, or what, this is to be found out when I get to the archives.
You are correct Capt. Boykin did live in Pool's Mill district. It was also known as the 1086 so could it be that Lott in his diary wrote the wrong number or misunderstood, or maybe it was written several days later and he was confused. I am sure you will know a lot more about the districts and how they were associated than I do.But I do remember reading this somewhere, and I will post that when I find it.